It was a Thursday morning where participants were “Giving Back In A Fun Way during Super Bowl week. The third annual NFLPA Community MVP Day in New Orleans. With this season’s Community MVPs, along with other active NFL players, were present to team up with students.
Next we were off to the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation as they hosted its 20th Annual Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Salute to Excellence Awards. The prestigious awards luncheon recognized the achievements and long-standing commitment of individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the world of sports.
This year’s event featured a special panel discussion titled “Female Trailblazers: Women Who Are Driving the Sports Industry.” The panel will be moderated by Dasha Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the NFL, and will highlight influential women who have made remarkable strides in the sports industry. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was also in attendance and provide remarks at the event.
The event honored Jeffrey Pash, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the NFL, with the Dan M. Rooney Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his distinguished career and tireless dedication to improving the workplace environment in professional football.
Additionally, Gayle Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints, accepted the Salute to Excellence Award on behalf of the team for their outstanding community service and commitment to supporting diversity.
The next event we attended was The St. Jude, Legends red carpet gala. It was Superbowl week in NOLA and we were honored to be invited to cover the latest Legends For Charity Dinner. Hannah Storm, ESPN Anchor and award winning producer and director was the 19th recipient of the coveted Pat Summerall Award.
Chris Berman, NFL Studio host and anchor of SportsCenter on ESPN, Cheri Summerall, wife of the late Pat Summerall and Dan Hicks, NBC Sports broadcaster were in attendance to celebrate Hannah Storm’s accomplishments.
Attendees and guests participated in a live auction which included Super Bowl LIX tickets, a 6-night Ireland adventure and a VIP experience at the Danny Thomas Celebrity-Am Golf Tournament in Memphis.
All proceeds of this yearly event supported the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: Finding cures and saving children, with a grand total of $1.1 Million was raised at this year’s dinner.
The Legends for Charity dinner is a national event held during the biggest weekend in professional sports and has made St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® the official charity partner over the past 19 years.
The event began as a luncheon but has grown into one of the biggest charity dinners held during Super Bowl Weekend. The Legends dinner has raised over $13 million for the kids of St. Jude. This dinner has introduced the sports broadcasting world and many NFL players to the mission of St. Jude and their mission is clear: Finding Cures. Saving Children. Everywhere.®
After hosting the dinner for several years, Rich Eisen chose to turn his annual Run Rich Run into a charitable event, naming St. Jude as the beneficiary.
We would like to thank Cheryl DeLeonardis, Kurt Rossler &Caroline Gonzalez for the invitation to this amazing event as we look forward to the 2026 edition in San Francisco for SB60
This was the 15th Annual Ditka & Jaws Cigars With The Stars Party. This year Ron Jaworski and Hall of Famer Brian Urlacherwill helped the 15th Annual Ditka & Jaws Cigars With The Stars to raise funds supporting health and wellness for at-risk youth and retired NFL Players. The event took place on Thursday, February 6th at Generations Hall in New Orleans! This VIP Cigar Party featured premium cigars from the industry’s top brands and many football celebrities to keep everyone entertained throughout the evening.
More importantly, they brought thousands of the most influential, most respected people, players in the sports industry together and spotlight the great work of both charities, Jaws Youth Playbook, and Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund. With support from Jaw’s friends, family, the community, and the amazing sponsors, giving back through events of this magnitude would not be possible.
About Jaws Youth Playbook:
Jaws Youth Playbook (JYP) is the foundation of Former Eagles QB and NFL Analyst Ron Jaworski. JYP works to improve the overall health and wellness of at-risk youth, primarily in the Greater Philadelphia region. JYP raises funds through several fundraising events throughout the year and awards grants to programs that are positively impacting youth health and wellness programs.
For more information, please visit http://www.jawsyouthplaybook.org
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